You MUST Make This Baked Penne with Spicy Italian Sausage Casserole!

spicy Italian sausage

🥗Healthier: chicken sausage

💰Cheaper: pork sausage

Chicken sausage is lower in fat, while pork sausage is often more affordable.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while cheddar can be less expensive.

Heat olive oil in a pan.

Add minced garlic and chili flakes; sauté briefly.

Add pulsed San Marano type tomatoes to the pan; simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine ground chicken with freshly ground fennel, cumin seeds, finely chopped Thai chilies, water, honey, Calabrian peppers, salt, and black pepper; mix well.

Cook the sausage mixture in a pan until browned and broken into smaller chunks; set aside.

Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside.

Combine the marinara sauce, cooked sausage, and pasta in a large bowl; mix well.

Layer the mixture in a baking dish, alternating with cubes of mozzarella and provolone cheese throughout.

Bake in the oven until bubbly and golden; optionally broil for a crispy top.

Garnish with fresh basil cut into ribbons before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens